The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1887-09-08
Voters! Word!
Written for the COMET.

the polls as to whether the liquor traf-
fic shall be legal business and be
reconed as one OF the honored and
honest professions or whether it shall
be crime, before the law. That we
have a right to out law the saloon has
already passed beyond question.
Are we honest and patriotic enough |
to do ii that is the question.
We are asked to vote on this propo-
sition as one involving the public safe
ty, and must therefore vote as citizens
loving our country and home.
1t is unworthy a citizen of our
mountain country to pass judgemnt
on apublic question according as it
effects his private appetites or person
al interests. The intelligent East
Tennessean is not so selfish. How
does it affect my neighbor as we'll as
myself? What is its influence upon
the public intelligence public, finance
and public morals of the country?
AS these questions are satisfactorily
answered so must our ballots be cast.
The evils of rum shops are too well
known to all of us to need any proof.
And let us remember that these evils
are not confined to the drinking man
but fall upon every member of socie-
ty. The man who doesn't drink must
help pay the heavy burdens of taxa
ton incurred by the traffic. The wo-
men and children must suffer in mind
and body for comforts that sober hus-
bands generally bring.
The effort is not to save the already
ruined man but to protect the inno-
cent who have no appreciation of the
danger lurking in and around a gilded
barroom.
Now and then a cold hearted man
tells me that liquor won't hurt a "fel-
Ter" ifhe will let it alone. My dear
sir is there bright eyed and happy
boy of ten summers that plays around
your home and Preside? Is there?
tell me, is there? Are you willing
that barroom with its music shall be
put up in front Of your door as a con-
slant temptation to ruin that boyi
You don't want your boy 9 drunkard
and we know it, then, sir, where is the
manhood in you when by your ballot
you place barroom at my door tC
bring ruin and death to my family.
This prohibitory amendment does
not strike at any private act of any
> individual, simply looks upon the traf
tic as public business, public curse
Should the Amendment be adopted
= some men who neither regard God no
b Truth, are trying to make the less in
, telligent part of our people belev
that each community 1OiH haze its littl
diStilery in order to supply the HON
: demand.
!, For the sake of the honest voter it i
well to say that the Amendment pre-
- hibits the maui octure for sale as
beverage, and that it does not inteTfe1
with the present regulations of tn
3 National Government, when it
!. manufactured for any other purpose
: Then to manufacture for ones oUn as
! Government license must be procul
ed-a distillery bought-the work done
! store keeper furnished-and 80 cent
= on the gallon paid before the fir
: dram can be drunk. No individus
. nor neighborhood can afford this on
Z lay of money for private drinking.
I is the Selhg that makes the busine
K profitable. That is prohibited, henc
1 no little distilleries.
|, Here, friend is thought for you
e consideration Why are you not
G rum seller?
p "What? didn't quit get your al
:. swer"
y "Well, sir, if you will have it, don
J think it is Right to sell whisky"
l. Good. agree with you"
e When the white aproned bar tend,
L. is ask, the same question he points
n his license tackled on the wall ar
n says lit is lawful business"
d Where did you get your license
: "From the State"
h "Whom compose the State"
:, "The people"
: "The people, then, gave you you
~ permission"
% Yes, sir"
: "You hold them responsible wi
T yourself for the evil done"
Il II 90, SIT"
d How do they express thennselv
1t on this question"
IL cat the ballot box where all publ
70 questions are settled, and when t
~ voters OF this country cease to assu1
# their part of theresponsibility in IL
"a wicked business / will enter anoth
to trade or profession. My purpose
10 to be q law ahidinp citizen